Leon S. Peters

Leon Peters
Born(1905-10-28)October 28, 1905[1]
Fowler, California
Died26 November 1983(1983-11-26) (aged 78)[2]
Fresno, California
Occupation(s)Businessman and Philanthropist
Employer(s)Valley Foundry[1]
Central California War Industries
SpouseAlice Peters

Leon S. Peters was a businessman, licensed engineer, and philanthropist in California's San Joaquin Valley. Peters was born in 1905 in the city of Fowler, California to Samuel and Lily Peters who were Armenian immigrants from Bitlis.[1][3][4][5] Between 1926 and 1929 Peters worked for his uncle's grape packing business[1] where he would be recruited as a salesman for Valley Foundry and Machine Works.[4] In 1940 Peters purchased the company from its owners. During World War II Peters became the president of the Central California War Industries company which was later awarded the Army-Navy E award.[6][7] After the war he continued his role in manufacturing as President of Valley Foundry and Machine Works and became known for helping raise money for the expansion California State University, Fresno and the Community Medical Center.[1][8][9] Known for being active in the local community Peters was a member of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, Masons,[10] and Rotary;[1] in 1955 he founded the Leon S Peters Foundation.[11]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Peters, Leon (1973-05-30). "Interview of Leon Peters" (Interview). Interviewed by Suhler, Sam. Fresno, California: Fresno County Free Library. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  2. ^ "Memorial service program :: Leon S. Peters Papers". Fresno State Library. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  3. ^ "Leon S. Peters | Friends of the Fresno Fair - Armenian Exhibit". www.armeniansfresno.com. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  4. ^ a b "Leon S. Peters Papers". Fresno State Library. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  5. ^ "Fresno State friend, benefactor Alice A. Peters dies at 97". Fresno State News. 2011-01-25. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  6. ^ Problems of American Small Business Hearings Before the Special Committee to Study and Survey Problems of Small Business Enterprises (Report). United States Government Printing Office. 1943-05-11.
  7. ^ Tolan, John. "Oral History Interview with John H. Tolan, Jr" (Interview). Interviewed by Fuch, John R. San Francisco, California: Harry S. Truman Library. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  8. ^ Lawless, Gerald, ed. (1969). The Sheriff's Review. Fresno, California: Fresno County Sheriff's Office Relief Association.
  9. ^ "Biographical note from Fresno Community Hospital :: Leon S. Peters Papers". Fresno State. 2002-02-07. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  10. ^ "Resume :: Leon S. Peters Papers". Fresno State. 1983. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  11. ^ Roberts, Andrea Suozzo, Ken Schwencke, Mike Tigas, Sisi Wei, Alec Glassford, Brandon (2013-05-09). "Leon S Peters Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2022-10-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)